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English Idioms

50 common idioms 50 funny idioms 50 clever idioms 50 sarcastic idioms

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Sarcastic English Idioms

Learning English Idioms

An idiom is an expression that does not convey the literal meanings of its words. In other words, an idiom does not mean exactly what it says. For example, if someone is "barking up the wrong tree," they aren't yelling at a tree; the expression is an idiom meaning taking the wrong course of action.

The list of idioms below has been selected for teaching advanced students. These idioms contain sarcasm, irony, or wit, making them a fun way to widen discussion topics. For advanced students, understanding and using these idioms can be an enjoyable challenge and a testament to their grasp of the language. Remember that lots of idioms – especially "clever" or witty ones like these – are culturally specific, making them particularly useful for learning a new language. Language study is always more fun when you learn the culture alongside the vocabulary and grammar.

50 Sarcastic English Idioms

1. make a better door than a window
2. charity mugger
3. back of the envelope
4. bankers dozen
5. bench jockey
6. benevolent overlord
7. blame Canada
8. burn that bridge when one comes to it
9. don't give up your day job
10. chesterfield rugby
11. don't let the door hit you on the way out
12. close but no cigar
13. close enough for government work
14. close the stable door after the horse has bolted
15. foot in mouth disease
16. prawn cocktail offensive
17. from the East German judge
18. Chinese compliment
19. corporation pop
20. crocodile tear
21. Does the Pope wear a funny hat?
22. dry ones eyes
23. Dutch courage
24. dummy spit
25. economical with the truth
26. few cards shy of a full deck
27. few sandwiches short of a picnic
28. feed the dragon
29. fill someone's shoes
30. French leave
31. forget to take ones medication this morning
32. from the Department of the Bleeding Obvious
33. ghetto lottery
34. Golden Handcuffs
35. Great Unwashed
36. I have a bridge to sell you
37. jam tomorrow
38. judge, jury, and executioner
39. left handed compliment
40. magic asterisk
41. Monday morning quarterback
42. Mexican breakfast
43. necktie party
44. on the wrong side of history
45. painting rocks
46. poor little rich girl
47. rainbows and unicorns
48. rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic
49. ride the pine
50. talk a good game
51. seagull approach
52. trouble in paradise
53. true stripes

Find More Idioms

Here at english-grammar-lessons.co.uk, we have entries for more than 10,000 English idioms, which we have listed alphabetically.

A Quick Test

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